Ducati completes GP12 MotoGP shakedown

Ducati has released a short statement following the completion of this week's private test session at Jerez, which marked the track debut of the '90% new' GP12 MotoGP machine.

Ducati has released a short statement following the completion of this week's private test session at Jerez, which marked the track debut of the '90% new' Desmosedici GP12 MotoGP machine.

The statement read:

"The Ducati Test Team, directed by Technical Director Filippo Preziosi, has completed three days of testing on the Spanish circuit of Jerez de La Frontera, with Carlos Checa and Franco Battaini followed [from] the pit garage by Team Manager, Vittoriano Guareschi.

"The two riders completed a "shake-down" of the GP12, which will be tested in two weeks by the official riders, Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden.

"During the three days, in which weather conditions were cold but fortunately dry, the work program was completed without any problems enabling the team to complete all checks in preparation to start the winter tests in Sepang, Malaysia from 31 January until 2 February 2012."

No pictures were released by Ducati, although Preziosi has warned that from the outside the 'new' GP12 looks very similar to the previous version, used by Rossi at the Valencia post-race test in November.

That bike is also due to be available for the Ducati grand prix riders at Sepang.